Prochlorperazine

Brand names of prochlorperazine

• Apo-Prochlorazine
• Combid [CD]
• Compazine
• Eskatrol
• Nu-Prochlor
• PMS-Prochlorperazine
• Pro-Iso
• Stemetil
• Sab-Prochlorperazine
• Stemetil
• Ultrazine [CD]

Usage

To treat severe nausea and vomiting. Also used in management of psychotic symptoms.

How it works

Prochlorperazine suppresses activity in the trigger zones of the brain and gastrointestinal tract that govern the vomiting reflex.

Side effects

Serious:

• difficulty breathing
• difficulty swallowing
• distension of the tongue
• neck stiffness
• neuroleptic malignant syndrome (high fever, disorientation, confusion, spasms or stiffness of the muscles)
• profuse sweating
• rapid heartbeat
• seizures

Common:

• blurred vision
• constipation
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• nausea
• reduced sweating
• shaking of hands
• stooped posture

Less common:

• bleeding
• breast swelling or pain
• bruising
• chills
• difficult urination
• fever
• heart palpitations
• itching
• menstrual irregularities
• skin rash
• sore throat
• uncontrolled tongue's movements
• weight gain

Possible interactions

Other medicaments:

Prochlorperazine may increase the effects of:

• all atropine like medicaments and cause nervous system toxicity.
• cisapride (Propulsid), increasing risk of dangerous heart rhythms.
• gatifloxacin (Tequin), grepafloxacin (Raxar), moxifloxacin (Avelox) or sparfloxacin (Zagam), increasing risk of abnormal heartbeats.
• all sedative medicaments, especially meperidine (Demerol), and cause excessive sedation.

Prochlorperazine may decrease the effects of:

• guanethidine (Ismelin, Esimil) and reduce its effectiveness in lowering blood pressure.

Prochlorperazine taken concurrently with:

• dofetilide (Tikosyn), increases risk of abnormal heartbeats.
• lithium (Lithobid, others) may lead to movement disorders and brain damage.
• MAO inhibitors may result in increased risk of abnormal body movements (extrapyramidal reactions).
• oral antidiabetic medicaments may blunt their therapeutic benefits.
• phenytoin (Dilantin, others) or fosphenytoin (Cerebyx) may have variable effects on phenytoin blood levels; more frequent blood levels are prudent if these medicaments are combined.
• propranolol (Inderal) may cause increased effects of both medicaments; monitor medicament effects closely and adjust doses as necessary.
• ritonavir (Norvir) may lead to prochlorperazine toxicity.
• sparfloxacin (Zagam) may increase risk of abnormal heartbeats.
• tramadol (Ultram) may increase seizure risk.
• zotepine (Nipolept) may increase seizure risk.

The following medicaments may decrease the effects of prochlorperazine:

• antacids containing aluminum and/or magnesium.
• benztropine (Cogentin).
• trihexyphenidyl (Artane).

Foods:

Vitamin C in high doses may lower therapeutic benefits.

Herbal medicines or minerals:

Kava and valerian may worsen drowsiness. Caution is advised. Since part of the way that ginseng works may be as an MAO inhibitor, the combination is not advisable. Both prochlorperazine and St. John's wort may lead to increased sun sensitivity.
A riboflavin (vitamin B2 supplement) should be taken with long-term use.

Alcohol:

Alcohol can increase phenothiazine sedation and accentuate depressant effects on brain function and blood pressure. Phenothiazines can increase intoxicating effects of alcohol.

Tobacco smoking:

Possible reduction of drowsiness from medicament.

Marijuana smoking:

Moderate increase in drowsiness; accentuation of orthostatic hypotension; increased risk of precipitating latent psychoses, confusing the interpretation of mental status and medicament responses.

Exposure to sun:

Use caution until sensitivity has been determined. Some phenothiazines can cause photosensitivity.

Exposure to heat:

Use caution and avoid excessive heat as much as possible. This medicament may impair the regulation of body temperature and increase the risk of heatstroke.

Exposure to cold:

This medicament can increase the risk of hypothermia in the elderly.

Discontinuation:

After long-term use, do not stop this medicament suddenly. Gradual withdrawal over 2 to 3 weeks under physician supervision is recommended.

COMMENTS

Back To Top